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His rivals called him Mr Nobody and Droopy. His former boss, Nicolas Sarkozy privately dismissed him as a "sad case" and a pliant "employee". Nobody - neither rivals, pollsters nor commentators - thought he stood a chance of clinching the French centre-Right primaries.

Droopy no more, François Fillon is having the last laugh.

Runaway favourite to win the nomination for his Republicans party next Sunday, the motor racing enthusiast is in the driving seat for next May's presidential race against far-Right leader Marine Le Pen, and a - for now - non-existent Left-wing candidate.